Burma Rifles
In 1916 during World War I two companies of pioneers were raised in Mandalay. This increased to four companies and became the 70th Burma Rifles in 1917. Also in 1917 the 85th Burma Rifles were raised from the Burma Military Police.
Chronology
- 1916 Two companies of Burma Pioneers raised in Mandalay
- 1917 Burma Pioneers became the 70th Burma Rifles
- 1917 85th Burma Rifles raised from the Burma Military Police
- 1922 70th & 85th merged to form the 20th Burma Rifles
- 1916
- 1st Gurkha Rifles
- 2nd Gurkha Rifles
- 3rd Gurkha Rifles
- 4th Gurkha Rifles
- 5th Gurkha Rifles
- 6th Gurkha Rifles
- 7th Gurkha Rifles
- 8th Gurkha Rifles
- 9th Gurkha Rifles
- 10th Gurkha Rifles
The 11th Gurkha Rifles was raised during the 1st World War then disbanded. The 25th, 26th & 29th Gurkha Rifles were raised during the 2nd World War then disbanded.
On the FIBIS website British Indian Army regiments are listed with titles as at the re-organisation of 1895. So 6th, 7th & 8th Gurkha Rifles are in articles titled 42nd, 43rd & 44th Gurkha Rifles. At the Partition of India in 1947 the regiments were given the choice of attachment to the British Army or the Indian Army. The 1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th & 10th Regiments chose Britain. The 3rd, 4th, 5th , 8th & 9th Regiments chose India.
External Links
Burma Rifles Wikipedia